The Angels: Believing in What You Cannot See (The New Muslim Companion Book 19)
By Ali Imam
The world is more populated than it looks. Belief in angels is not a decorative detail in Islam. It is the second article of faith - placed immediately after belief in God and before belief in revelation, the prophets, the Last Day and destiny. Yet many new Muslims meet the subject carrying inherited images of halos, harps, cherubs and fallen angels that Islam does not teach. The Angels offers a clear, humane introduction to what the Qur'an, authentic hadith and the mainstream Sunni tradition actually say. In one accessible volume, you will discover: - what angels are, what they are made from and why they never disobey; - how angels differ from jinn and human beings; - the roles of Jibril, Mikail, Israfil, the noble scribes and the angels of the grave; - how angels are connected to revelation, prayer, remembrance, death and the Last Day; - which familiar ideas belong to revelation - and which belong to folklore; and - what belief in unseen companions changes in the ordinary life of a Muslim. Written especially for readers in their first year of Islam, the book assumes no Arabic and no previous study. It explains unfamiliar words as they appear, acknowledges genuine scholarly differences, and speaks honestly to readers who believe but do not always feel what they think faith should feel like. Short enough to read in an afternoon and substantial enough to return to, The Angels is a calm companion for converts, returning Muslims, study circles and anyone seeking an accurate introduction to angels in Islam. Begin with the second thing Muslims believe - and discover why the unseen world matters to the life you can see.